UKCA Marking and CE Marking in GB & Northern Ireland
After Brexit, there were changes to a raft of Regulations through “The Great Repeal Act”. In this process all EU Directives and Regulations were ‘frozen’ into UK law to come into force after the transition period. The implications for CE Marking, that is based on EU Directives and Regulations, is that it will be replaced in the UK by a new UKCA mark.
At the time of writing, the transition period will end on 31 December 2022.
When the transition period ends, the UKCA Mark (UK Conformity Assessed) MUST be affixed for most products produced in Great Britain.
UK Regulations require the use of an Approved Body to perform product inspections and/or conduct factory quality inspections as part of the attestation process. At the time of writing there are significantly fewer Approved Bodies than the equivalent Notified Bodies, as used for CE Marking. As with CE Marking, there are Regulations where no Approved Body is required, and the mark operates by self-declaration. Examples include Electrical equipment, ROHS, EMC, Toys etc.
The CE Mark may also be affixed for most products produced in Great Britain, should the organisation supply products to EU. The CE Mark will indicate that the product complies with all EU Regulations. EU Regulations require the use of a Notified Body to perform product inspections and/or conduct factory quality inspections as part of the attestation process.
In Northern Ireland, as agreed in the NI Protocol, manufacturers have unfettered trade with ROI and the rest of UK. On that basis, NI manufacturers can legally supply CE Marked product into the rest of UK. Or they can choose to use the UKCA Mark, if supplying the rest of UK. If supplying ROI, they must use the CE Mark.
Products supplied into NI must comply with EU Regulations. This is indicated either by fixing the CE Mark – with an EU Notified Body, or a new CE UKNI Mark – this being with a UK Approved Body.
All legislation can change, and in addition this a summary in plain English of the key points. It is recommended that organisations seek current advice. We are happy to assist in this should that be required.
Let us know if you need any advice or assistance in relation to CE or UKCA Marking.
